Wagga City Council 29 June Ordinary Meeting
Published: 29 Jun 2020 11:19am
Proposals for Gateway Determination
Council has agreed to proceed with a planning proposal and request a Gateway Determination from NSW Department of Planning, Industry & Environment before placing it on public exhibition.
Council has prepared the planning proposal to introduce a local provision clause in the Wagga Wagga Local Environmental Plan 2010 (LEP) to enable minor boundary adjustments in the rural zones and environmental management zone. The proposal also intends to protect dwelling entitlements for lots created resulting from the new local provisions.
RP-1 DRAFT PLANNING PROPOSAL (LEP20/0001) TO INTRODUCE A NEW LOCAL PROVISION CLAUSE TO ENABLE MINOR BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENTS FOR CERTAIN ZONES
A draft planning proposal to rezone land from R5 Large Lot Residential to R1 General Residential and remove the minimum lot size for land located at 47 and 49 Vincent Road, Lake Albert, will be forwarded for a Gateway Determination by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
Council agreed to receive a further report after a public exhibition period addressing any submissions made in respect of the planning proposal.
RP-2 DRAFT PLANNING PROPOSAL (LEP20/0003) TO REZONE LAND AND REMOVE THE MINIMUM LOT SIZE PROVISIONS FOR 47 AND 49 VINCENT ROAD, LAKE ALBERT
New MDA representative
Councillor Greg Conkey has been appointed as Council’s new representative to the Murray Darling Association.
The appointment follows a decision by Cr Paul Funnell to step aside from this role.
RP-3 MURRAY DARLING ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATION
Resolutions and Notice of Motions summary
Council has agreed to receive a monthly report on the status of all resolutions of Council, including Notices of Motion, indicating which are completed and which are outstanding, together with a summary of action undertaken.
It was resolved at the 25 May 2020 Ordinary Meeting that Council receive a report which outlines a process to provide Councillors and the community information on status of adopted Notice of Motions. The scope was been expanded to include all Council resolutions.
RP-4 RESPONSE TO NOTICE OF MOTION -NOTICE OF MOTIONS
Expenses policy on exhibition
Council has endorsed placing the draft Councillor Expenses and Facilities Policy (POL 025) on public exhibition for a period of 28 days from 30 June 2020 to 27 July 2020. Public submissions will be received until 10 August 2020, before a report goes back to Council.
Council currently has a lengthy policy in relation to councillor expenses and facilities and review of the template policy suggests there is the opportunity to make Council’s policy more ‘user friendly’, clear and succinct and also to clarify areas of ambiguity, uncertainty or inconsistency with the legislation.
RP-5 COUNCILLOR EXPENSES AND FACILITIES POLICY -POL 025
Planning and Reporting documents
Council has adopted and implemented requirements of its Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework which include the following:
- adopt the Combined Delivery Program and Operational Plan 2020/21 inclusive of amendments highlighted in the report
- adopt the Fees and Charges for the financial year 2020/21 inclusive of amendments highlighted in the report
- approve the budget variations associated with the 2019/20 budget reset of the capital works program
- adopt the Long Term Financial Plan 2021/30 inclusive of amendments highlighted in the report and the 2019/20 budget reset of the capital works program
RP-6 INTEGRATED PLANNING AND REPORTING - ADOPTION OF DOCUMENTS
COVID-19 impact on budget
Council received a report highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on the 2019/20 budget and Long Term Financial Plan.
The report highlighted the impact the pandemic has had on Council facilities and investment portfolio.
The likely impact on Council’s 2019/20 budget is still anticipated to be in the vicinity of the $1,741,572 deficit position reported to Council at the 25 May Council meeting.
RP-7 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE REPORT AS AT 31 MAY 2020
Proposed fees for grounds lighting
Proposed new fees for 2020/21 following the recently completed installation of new sportsground lighting systems will be placed on public exhibition.
The proposed lighting fees comprise a maintenance component and an electricity usage component. Council will receive another report after submissions close on 28 July.
RP-8 PROPOSED NEW FEES AND CHARGES FOR 2020/21
Procurement policy supports business
Council has agreed to adopt the draft Regional Procurement Preference Policy (POL-064).
The policy aims to encourage and support regional businesses and support economic activity within the region where it is efficient to do so.
Council recognises that through supporting regional businesses it can assist in economic sustainability that will flow to social benefits across regional communities.
RP-9 REGIONAL PROCUREMENT PREFERENCE POLICY
New dog off-leash area in Wagga
Council has endorsed a new dog off-leash area at Wiradjuri Reserve.
The decision to make the area a permanent off-leash area follows a 12-month trial from May last year.
The new area is between the pebble beach and boat ramp, and will be restricted to use in daylight hours only.
RP-10 WIRADJURI RESERVE DOG OFF-LEASH AREA
Funding for biodiversity project
Council has agreed to enter into a $350,000 funding agreement with Spark Infrastructure to undertake a revegetation program to enhance biodiversity in the Bomen precinct.
The proposed revegetation will align with the Special Activation Precinct Masterplan. The funding will cover the costs associated with the revegetation including site preparation, plants, planting, materials and watering.
It is anticipated planting would occur during the winter months of 2021 / 2022 and would include between 40,000 - 50,000 plants. The coordination of the program will be through Council’s Environment team and on-going management will be in line with low maintenance levels for natural areas.
Spark Infrastructure has recently completed its 120 MW Solar Farm at Bomen. The Australian-listed company in partnership with Westpac has established a community fund to invest $1M into the local community over the first 10 years of the solar farm’s operation.
RP-11 BIODIVERSITY FUNDING AGREEMENT
Rent abatement for local groups
Council has resolved to provide rent abatements to an additional 63 local, independent, not for profit groups who are ineligible for government funding or COVID-19 assistance packages.
These total $655 for the 2019/20 financial year and $11,342.63 for the 2020/21 financial year (GST inclusive).
RP-12 COMMUNITY TENANT ABATEMENTS
Health precinct road closure
Council has resolved to proceed with the closure and sale of part of Doris Roy Lane to NSW Health Corporation in accordance with a prior resolution of Council (14 April 2020).
This is to facilitate the development of car parking within the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital grounds.
The original resolution included Lewis Drive, Yabtree Street and Yathong Street. However New Health Corporation has since advised these streets are no longer wanted to proceed with these road closures.
RP-13 PROPOSED ROAD CLOSURES WITHIN THE WAGGA WAGGA BASE HOSPITAL
Planning panel representatives appointed
Councillors Dan Hayes and Tim Koschel have been nominated as Council’s representatives on the Southern Regional Planning Panel until 30 September 2021.
The three-year term for current representatives has expired and new representation is required.
Cr Dallas Tout has also been named an alternate representative alongside Cr Greg Conkey, who remains in this position until 3 June 2021.
RP-14 SOUTHERN REGIONAL PLANNING PANEL REPRESENTATION
Multi-Sports Complex takes step forward
Council has endorsed the next important stage in the development of the Wagga Wagga Multi-Sports Cycling Complex at Pomingalarna Reserve.
A separable portions contract for the design and construction of the facility will now be finalised with Joss Construction in the amount of $8,955,939 exc gst.
The contract will be made up of a base contract of $7,443,760 and two separable portions totalling $1,512,179 exc gst.
CONF-1 RFT2020-05 WAGGA WAGGA MULTI-SPORT CYCLING COMPLEX
Gregadoo infrastructure projects
Council has endorsed two separate recommendations for infrastructure projects at Gregadoo Waste Management Centre (GWMC).
Council will enter into a contract with Ultra Project Services Pty Ltd for the construction of roads, building and car park associated with the proposed new weighbridge at GWMC in the lump sum amount of $1,071,435.94 exc gst
The design and construction of the weighbridge will be contracted to Aussie Weighbridge Systems Pty Ltd in the lump sum amount of $412,146 exc gst.
Council also accepted the five-year maintenance, software and licencing costs in the estimated amount of $56,099.88 exc gst
CONF-2 RFT2020-23 CONSTRUCTION OF WEIGHBRIDGE ROADS, BUILDING & CAR PARK & CONF-3 RFT2020-24 DESIGN & CONSTRUCT WEIGHBRIDGE GWMC
Funding for Gardens precinct accepted
Council has accepted a Federal Government funding offer of $4,288,879 to deliver the Botanic Gardens Precinct Renewal Project.
As part of a modified procurement delivery method, Council will now cease negotiations and close the tender process for the Museum Redevelopment Design & Construction works without having entered into a contract.
Council will proceed to market with a new open Tender process for the delivery of Stages 1 and 2 of the Museum Redevelopment, and also for the delivery of road works on Lord Baden Powell Drive.
CONF-4 RFT 2020-28 BOTANIC GARDENS REDEVELOPMENT DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION WORKS
Contract for two ‘end of trip’ facilities
Council has agreed to enter into a contract for the construction of end of trip facilities at the Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre and the Visitors Information Centre in Tarcutta Street as part of the Active Travel Plan.
It has accepted the offer of Ladex Construction Group Pty Ltd for the design and construction of two end of trip facilities for the lump sum amount of $297,690.17 exc gst.
CONF-5 RFT2020-32 END OF TRIP FACILITIES ACTIVE TRAVEL PLAN
Organisation review and restructure
Council has adopted changes to its organisation structure. Further information will be provided later this week.
CONF-6 TEMPORARY ORGANISATION STRUCTURE